Moral Stories for Children

Posts tagged ‘Christian’

Bad Behavior

TEMPER TANTRUM

After Miley stomped home, Emily had to figure out what to do about her friend’s bad behavior and temper tantrum. She did not like it when Molly tried to control people to get her own way. Selfishness only spoiled a kids day and made everybody feel bad.

As Emily was thinking about what to do next she looked over at the girls and observed that Sara was twisting her hands and Katie was looking down as if studying her shoes.

Emily determined right then and there that she would not let Miley’s bad behavior ruin everybody’s day. She knew what she must do first.

A Heart of Forgiveness

Prison of Unforgiveness

Emily’s Mama had talked to her about having a heart of forgiveness. She warned Emily about the dangers of holding un-forgiveness in her heart.

Mama also explained that when we allow someones bad behavior or angry words to make us feel guilty or out of sorts we are actually giving them power.

When Emily was little she used to think mama meant supernatural power, like in fairy-tale’s with wizards and magic wands. Emily could never figure out how that worked. How could she give people magical power?

One day Emily asked Mama about it; Mama laughed softly as mouth turned to a smile. She explained that the word power, in this case, meant that you give someone else permission to control how you feel.

Mama said, “Let’s say your friend does something mean to you or to some one else. How do you respond? If you let that bad action affect how you feel .. you give your friend power to control your feelings. You don’t have to do that Emmy. No one can ruin your day unless you give them power to do that. It is your choice honey.”

Mama said, “Emily, we have choice, to forgive or to allow the hurt to grow inside of us. When we choose to hold on to angry feelings toward anyone … there are consequences. Your feelings will not stop with just being angry, it will grow into really bad feelings like bitterness, maybe even hatred. When we allow our feelings to take us to a bad place you are actually giving that person permission to control how you feel.”

Emily was beginning to understand that she did have a choice about her own actions. Mama took a moment to form her next words. “Emmy when we give our power away to someone else, by NOT forgiving, it’s kind of like putting ourselves behind bars and becoming a prisoner. “But my dear Emmy, it is even worse than that. Not only do we put ourselves behind bars (as a prisoner to anger, bitterness or hatred) but we also hand the key right over to the person who was mean or unkind. The key is yours Emily,” Mama said, “Don’t give it to anyone.”

Emily knew what she must do. She needed to forgive Miley before she did anything else. She needed to let the bad feelings go. She reasoned that she did not have to feel bad because she was not the person who made Molly choose bad behavior. She was NOT going to be a prisoner on this beautiful sunny day.

Who is the Boss?

AS Emily was praying for Miley she pictured herself holding hands with her. Then as she talked to God she let go of Miley’hand as she put it into Jesus strong hand. “Dear God,” Emmy prayed, “Miley tried to ruin our day and she hurt our feelings too.

I pray for Miley God and I hope you will teach her how to share and be kind. I am choosing to forgive her right now, like mama taught me. I give her to you Jesus … and now I will be free to be happy. Thank you Jesus, Amen!

Emily turned towards the girls while thinking, We’ll just start over. “Girls, What do you want to do?” asked Emily. Katie said that anything was fine with her as long as they were together but then she paused and asked, “Who is the Boss Emily?” “Lt’s just talk about what we all want to do and decide together okay?” answered Emily. Katie smiled as she shook her head happily; “And you ….?” Emily asked Sara as their eyes connected. Sara thought a moment and while twisting her hands asked, “Well, I still would like to play house, can we take turns being the mom?” “I think that is a great Idea Sara.” answered Emily enthusiastically. Turning to Sara’s sister she continued, “Katie, how would you like to be the mom first?” Katie smiled brightly and jumped up and hugged her pretend daughters as she said, “Okay girls, let’s play house.”

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Emily began their play time looking at Sara and asking, “Mama, can we make chocolate chip cookies?” “Why, of course sweetheart,” answered Sara in her most grown up voice, “What type of cookies would you like to make? We can make chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin cookies.”

Emily thought it was adorable when Sara pretended to be a grown up because, as hard as she tried to sound like a grown up, she still had a squeaky little girl’s voice. “I’d like chocolate chip cookies please” answered Emily politely.

The girls played for a long time. They went grocery shopping by the big Pine Trees imagining the place to be Pine’s grocery store. Pretending to gather ingredients they picked up pine cones. As they did Emily carried the basket as the girls dropped each ingredient they would need to make cookies. Katie smiled at her girls, “You girls are such BIG helpers to Mama, I don’t know what I would do without you.” Emily and Sara beamed back at Katie (Mama) delighting in her kind words.

When they got back to the playhouse the girls pretended to make the cookie dough. Sara and Emily were making a mess with the flour. Some, they pretended, was falling on the floor. Katie, in her serious grown up voice said, girls, girls, pay attention – look at the floor. Both girls stopped and looked down at the imaginary flour covering the floor. Katie (Mama) told Emily to get the broom and she told Sara to grab the dustpan. She instructed Emily to sweep slowly so the flour dust didn’t fly all over the place. The girls worked together quickly and carefully. They then joined Katie to put the cookie dough on the pans.

They plopped a scoop of dough, one at a time, on the cookie sheet. Next they put the cookies in Emily’s play oven. After about five minutes the girls looked excited as they pretended like the whole house smelled like chocolate. “Oh, I can hardly wait to eat my cookie!” Sara spouted as she jumped up and down. Katie told Sara she could take the cookies out of the oven.

Sara put on imaginary hot pad gloves as she opened the oven door and pulled out a tray of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. She expertly served up 2 pretend chocolate chip cookies on each girl’s pretend plate. As the girls lifted their imaginary cookie to their mouths they made sounds like mmmmm and ooooo to show how delicious the cookies tasted. Suddenly Emily realized she was hungry.

Just then her sister Molly called for Emily. “It’s time for lunch Emmy.” Emily told the girls she had to go but they were welcomed to stay and play. The girls told Emily they were hungry too. Sara said, “We’ll go home to eat too Emmy but we will be back as soon as we are done.”“Great!” replied Emily, “See you after lunch.”

Forgiveness

As Emily and Molly were walking to the house they saw Miley slowly making her way towards them. “Emily,” Miley, began with a sadness in her voice, Emmy noticed her head was bent down, “I’m sorry I was being bossy again, can we start over?” Emily smiled big as knelt down so Miley could see her face, “Of course we can Miley!” Emily said with joyful conviction. “I have to eat first and then the Anderson sisters are coming back. It will be fun to have you play with us too.” Miley let out a big breath of air as a smile of relief traveled across her face, “Oh thank you Emily, I know I need to work on my bad behavior and I am so thankful that you forgive so quickly.” The girls hugged each other and then Miley turned and skipped all the way back to her house.

Mama had taught Emily to be quick to forgive. She said that forgiveness was very important. In fact it was so important that Jesus said whenever we pray, we need to forgive. Emily understood what Mama taught her and she always took time to think before she prayed. Mama called it examining your heart.

Before praying she would ask herself if she was mad at anyone or if anyone had hurt her feelings? If she was mad or hurt she knew she needed to forgive that person. Even though Emily would sometimes feel very angry, Mama said it did not matter how she felt, Emily should forgive with her words in prayer to Jesus.

Mama explained that as we obey, Jesus heals our heart and turns our anger into compassion. Emily knew one thing for sure; She always felt so much better after she forgave people.

Selfishness

In Chapter three of Emily’s Little Life, Emily will be spending her Happy Saturday with her friends Miley, Katie and Sara.

The girls will experience some trouble in this chapter when one of them tries to take over and be the boss. Emily takes a stand that results in one of the girls getting mad and stomping home.

What happens when Emily is left to try and help her friends and herself get past Miley’s blow up. It is her favorite day and she doesn’t want anything or anyone to spoil it. What will she say to help her friends to move away from bad feelings and into play?

PLAY DAY

Happy Saturday

Now that Emily’s chores were done, and mama approved, she ran out the door feeling like a bird set free from its cage.

It was a bright sunny day and as Emily stepped outside she squinted her eyes tightly. The brightness of the sun was almost blinding. She stood still as her eyes gradually adjusted.

The sky was filled with big, fluffy white clouds that were scattered here and there. Emily closed her eyes and bent her head back so she could feel the warmth of the sun on her face. Oh, how Emily loved the outdoors, especially on a warm and sunny day.

Emily’s Friend Miley

Emily had a friend named Miley who lived across the street. Miley was Emily’s age but she went to a private school.

Miley

Miley was taller than Emily and she wore glasses. Emily thought the glasses made her look smart. She had short, dark brown hair that poofed out in the back. Miley said her hairstyle was called a Bob. Emily thought it was a peculiar name considering Miley was a girl.

Emily liked to play with Miley most of the time but sometimes she didn’t. It was usually fun to play with Miley but at times she could be difficult. Miley always wanted to be the boss and tell people what to do. Emily liked to be the boss too but Papa taught her that she could not always be in charge. He explained that when you only think about what you want without thinking about what others want; you are being selfish. Emily figured Miley had not yet learned that it was selfish to try to be the boss all the time.

Emily shared her little life with Miley from time to time. Today she decided to ask Miley to play. Emily didn’t always need a playmate, she was quite content to play in her own little world but sometimes it was fun to bring someone into it with her.

MUFFIN PUTS ON A SHOW

Molly’s Dog Muffins

As Emily walked toward Miley’s house she heard Muffin barking wildly. It didn’t take much to get Muffin going, especially when someone came to their door. Muffin was Miley’s pet dog; Muffin was a playful ball of fluffy brown and white fur.

When her fur wasn’t combed she looked just like the mop Mama used to wash the kitchen floor. It was hard to see Muffins eyes because her unruly floppy fur covered them up. In spite of the fact that her eyes were covered it did not slow her down at all. No, in fact Muffin knew exactly where she was going and as she took off she looked like a crazy, messy mop tearing through the house on a frantic mission. Muffin put on a show that was so comical that her antics never failed to send Emily into fits of laughter.

Emily got ready to greet Muffin as she knocked on Miley’s front door. When Miley opened the door Muffin jumped up on Emily as if to exclaim, “Finally, you came to play with me!” Muffin barked and danced happily jumping up on Emily over and over again. Her tail was wagging like it was on fire. Emily laughed at Muffin and then bent down to hug her neck. In return Emily received a slobbery kiss right on her cheek.

As Emily backed away Muffin continued her show by spinning and dancing around in circles on her back legs. Miley and Emily laughed as they watched Muffin show-off. Miley glanced at Emily and smiled affectionately. She was so happy Emily came to her house. Miley liked Emily because she was kind and fun to play with.

As Muffin tore through the house on another mission Emily asked, “Hey Miley do you want to come out and play with me?” “Sure” answered Miley, “I’ll go ask my mom and grab a jacket.” As Miley took off toward the kitchen Emily hollered after her, “You won’t need a jacket, the sun is out and it is getting warm.”

Miley quickly asked her she if she could play with Emily. Mom told Miley it was fine but to play in Emily’s yard or their own year. Molly told her mom she would probably be in Emily’s yard playing in Emily’s playhouse.

THE SUN FOLLOWS ME

As the two girls crossed the street Miley was chattering away about how they were going to pretend that she was the mom and Emily would be her little girl. As she looked at Emily to see what she thought about her idea she noticed that her friend had that familiar glazed-over look in her eyes. The stare meant Emily was in her own little world. Miley felt her cheeks get hot; She knew Emily did not hear a word she said. “Emily!” Miley scolded, “I’m talking to you!” Emily, as if in deep thought responded, “Miley have you noticed that everywhere I go the sun follows me?” Miley wrinkled up her face in confusion, “What do you mean?” she chided. “Look,” explained Emily as she pointed to the sun, “When I walk this way, the sun follows me and when I turn, the sun turns with me.”

THE MORE THE MERRIER

Anderson Sisters

Just when Miley was about to tell Emily that the Sun most certainly does not follow her, the Anderson sisters, Katie and Sara, came running up to them. “Hi guys,” Sara called out, “Can we play with you today?”

Emily quickly answered the girls question before Miley had a chance to say anything, “Yes, of course you can play with us. The more the merrier,” that’s what mama always said.

Emily thought the sisters were so cute. Sara was 6 years old and she had blonde hair that sometimes looked orange when the sun shined on it. Her big blue eyes were the color of the sky; When she was afraid or excited she had the habit of twisting her hands over and over. Sara was shy but Emily could always get her to talk and forget about being afraid. Her sister Katie was 8 years old. Katie’s hair was straight and very long. The color of her hair was a brown but it changed when the sun shined down on her. Like magic the sun revealed many sparkling shades of red, yellow and brown.

Emily found it interesting to watch Katie’s green eyes because they were curious and an unusual shade, almost the same color as an emerald. Emily thought of Katie as Sara’s other Mother because she was always close-by making sure people were nice to her sister.

Katie and Sara’s mom home schooled them and Emily liked how polite and considerate both girls were. They were just like their mom.

Who is the Boss?

The girls all ran to Emily’s playhouse. Their hair was flying in the wind and all had happy smiles on their faces. As Katie was about to go in, Miley yelled, “Hey, wait a minute, take your shoes off before going in the house!” Katie stopped and sighed deeply before taking her shoes off.

Once all the girls were inside Miley started to tell them her plan. She said that they were going to play house and that she would be the Mom and the girls would all be her daughters. Emily studied Katie and Sara as they looked at each other as if to say, “Here we go again.” Emily decided someone had to stand up to Miley. She turned to Molly and said, “Miley you can’t always be the boss.” She took a deep breath and continued, “There are four of us playing together, we can take turns being the boss or maybe we can talk about what we all want to do.”

Miley’s face turned red and as her eyes darkened she glared at Emily. “Well!” said Miley with a huff, “If you don’t want to play house and be the daughters then I am going home!” The sisters never said a word but silently waited to see what Miley would do. When Miley realized that they were not going to let her be the boss she turned around and stomped out of the playhouse while hollering out, “FINE, I know when I’m not wanted!”

Years ago I took a creative writing class in children’s literature. It made sense to take this class because I loved to write and I understood the importance of investing in a child’s life. The pen is a powerful tool as it set’s it’s tip to paper and engages the reader into its story.

I have always been drawn to children and their unabashed love for life, their transparency and teach-ability. It was a natural process for me to take my passion for writing and fit it to a child’s heart. I didn’t want to write nonsensical cute stories, though they have their place. I want to make a difference in children’s lives. This website will be the place I will endeavor to write kids stories that build character.

This blog is dedicated to kids and any adult who takes the time to invest in their lives. The stories are designed to capture a child’s attention and give practical examples of character qualities like integrity, gratitude, honesty, forgiveness and more. If I accomplish this vision I believe it will be an incredible worth while use of my abilities and time.

I believe that we, as influential adult’s in a child’s life, have been given a sacred responsibility to invest in that life. Children are the future.

CHILDREN ARE TEACHABLE

Young children are impressionable and teachable. It is vital to instill these character qualities in a child’s life while they are young. My desire to communicate character qualities grew stronger after having children of my own.

A properly nurtured child who has been protected from the evils of this world is filled with innocence, wonder and gratitude. They are like a blank slate waiting to be filled. Children are learning by what they see, hear and experience through their sphere of influence.

INVEST IN A CHILDS FUTURE

Have you ever taken the time to look deeply into a child’s eyes and listen to their words? I observe many adults who seem to ignore children. It is almost as if they do not think children are real people with the capacity to think and to feel. Children are real little people who deserve to be heard, nurtured, directed and loved well.

Children intuitively know when an adult cares about them. When they find an attentive grown up their hearts fill with gratitude. We must open eyes and our hearts to these little people because they need dependable and caring adults in their lives; adults who want to and are willing to invest in a child’s future.

MORALS AND CHARACTER QUALITIES

when my children were growing up I purchased a series of books with stories that taught character qualities such as integrity, honesty, gratitude, responsibility and More. I have searched for this category

of children’s books for years with no success. A vision was birthed when it dawned on me that I could write a children’s series that teaches morals.

The story’s name popped into my head as I was thinking of the best way to teach a child important truths about morality. It appealed to me to write a story that would capture a little girl’s thoughts and impressions of her World. I named the children’s series Emily’s Little World.

As the story of Emily’s Little World unfolds character qualities and lessons learned in Emily’s world will be sprinkled throughout. The child reader will learn from story characters who possess character and morals. The characters in the story will be learning lessons about integrity, responsibility, honesty and many attributes of goodness.

My goal has been to convey these character qualities through the thoughts, feelings and inner workings of living life and learning lessons in Emily’s Little World.

KIDS SAY THE DARNEDEST THINGS

Kids say the darnedest things. Over the years, I have collected the unique sayings and words I have heard from the kids in my life. Most of the sayings have come from my grandchildren but I also have used the words of other children.

I saved these words because I wanted to save the memories. I now realize these words, thoughts and winsome conversations are treasures to be used in my writing from a child’s perspective.

I have kid tested the first three chapters of Emily’s Little Life with my grandchildren who laughed, “awed” and smiled as they listened to me read. They recognized phrases, sayings and situations which were clearly something they said or did. After reading the story to them, they asked when the next chapter would be finished.

It was just what I had hoped I would hear; like music to Nana’s ears. I have also incorporated thoughts and comments from parents who have shared their funny kid quotes, so if you know me do not be surprised to find a quote from your kid in one of Emily’s Little Life Stories.

Your input is welcomed with open arms. I would love to hear how your child responds to one of my kids stories that build character.